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KENSINGTON LIONS CLUB
ANNUAL ALL-STAR FOOTBALL CLASSIC RULES

The Kensington Lions Club All-Star Football Classic is an exciting experience for Western New York High School Football. Each year the game draws outstanding talent from W.N.Y. Schools. To keep the game entertaining from a fan’s point of view, the benefit of success is stressed for the offense. It is harder for coaches to develop a smooth synchronized offense in twelve days of practice than it is to field an effective defense. Therefore, there are rules cited to enhance offensive performance and success.

Players

The maximum number of players per team is forty (40).

The maximum number of players from a school is three (3).

The maximum number of schools that can have three (3) players is three (3) schools.

Coaching Staffs

The coaching staffs are limited to a maximum of six (6) coaches total.

There must be at least two head coaches of local varsity teams on each All-Star staff (including the head coach of the All-Star team). No more than four (4) assistant coaches from local coaching staffs will be allowed on each All-Star staff.

The basic 5-2 defense has been the foremost “rule” in this game. This base defense has been a part of the All Star Classic since its inception 36 years ago, however now is the time for change .
In 2012, the game will employ a 40 defense for both teams. The “40” allows teams more flexibility in player selection and coverage adjustments. The rules are simple for officials to enforce. The only exceptions to the rules occur in “Short Yardage,” “Goal Line,” and empty backfield situations.

4-3 ALIGNMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS FOR ALL POSITIONS

Defensive Tackles

Must line up ON the Offensive Guards. They may shade to the either “Eye” of the Guard, if necessary, for purposes of gap control.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES MAY NOT LINE UP IN A GAP! IF THEY ARE IN A GAP, THE DEFENSE WILL BE PENALIZED IMMEDIATELY.

On the snap, ENGAGE THE GUARD and react.

No slants, loops, shifts, or stunts are permitted.

Defensive Ends to a Tight End Side (Closed)

Must line up ON tight end. They may shade to either “Eye” of the Tight End, if necessary, for purposes of gap control.

DEFENSIVE ENDS MAY NOT LINE UP IN A GAP! IF THEY ARE IN A GAP, THE DEFENSE WILL BE PENALIZED IMMEDIATELY.

On the snap, ENGAGE THE TIGHT END and react.

No slants, loops, shifts, or stunts are permitted

Defensive Ends to a Split End Side (Open)

Must line up ON the Tackle. They may shade to either “Eye” of the Tackle, if necessary, for purposes of gap control.

DEFENSIVE ENDS MAY NOT LINE UP IN A GAP! IF THEY ARE IN A GAP, THE DEFENSE WILL BE PENALIZED IMMEDIATELY.

On the snap, ENGAGE THE TACKLE and react.

No slants, loops, shifts, or stunts are permitted

Inside Linebackers (2)

Alignment: There must be TWO Linebackers inside the Tackles at the snap of the ball. Within the tackles, they may align wherever the coach sees fit.
Depth: Two yards behind the heels of the Defensive Linemen.
EXCEPTION: If an offensive team declares an empty backfield formation, or indicates that it will motion to an empty formation, the defense will be allowed to move ONE inside linebacker outside of the Tackles, to counter this offense. All other rules will remain in effect.

Outside Linebackers (1 or 2)

Alignment: They must be Outside of the Tackles. They may align head up on a Tight End. There is no limit on their width from the tackles.
Depth: No closer than four (4) yards from the line of scrimmage. He may line up weak, strong,

Rules for ALL Linebackers (3 or 4)

Linebackers must be stationary until the ball is snapped. (unless reacting to offensive motion)

Linebackers may not cross the line of scrimmage until a definite run is established by a back other than the quarterback.

Backers may step forward on the snap, but upon recognition of pass they must drop for pass coverage.

They are allowed to cross the line of scrimmage once the quarterback exits the tackle box during a roll-out or sprint out type play.

Defensive Backs (3 or 4)

Alignment: No Restrictions.
Depth: If outside the Tackles, Minimum 5 yard cushion from the line of scrimmage. A Safety Inside the Tackles must be at least 10 yards off the Line of Scrimmage.

General Defensive Back Rules: Defenses may employ any coverage scheme besides Bump and Run and Invert. Contact with receivers is subject to current National Federation rules.

SHORT YARDAGE AND GOAL LINE DEFENSE

“Short Yardage” situation: 3rd or 4th down and three (3) or less yards to gain for a 1st down.
“Goal Line” situation: Anytime the ball is on or inside the Defensive 5 yard line.
The offense may use a Three Back Formation in “short yardage” AND “goal line” situations. It may only use a Three Back formation that is declared by the coach as one of his six formations. Only one (1) Three Back formation may be declared, and it must be a balanced formation.
The Defense may blitz the Inside Linebackers only on Short Yardage situations. These blitzes may only occur in the nearest A or B gap to the Inside Linebacker (No Looping).
All restrictions are taken off of the Defense in “Goal Line” situations.

OFFENSE RULES

Offenses are limited to six (6) total formations. Once the formations are declared, there may not be any additions under any circumstances.

No unbalanced formations are allowed.

Offenses may use one (1) formation with three (3) backs included as one of the six formations. This formation may be used only during “Short Yardage and Goal Line” situations (see “short Yardage and Goal Line Defense”).

Coaches may adjust the number of formations based on mutual agreement.

OFFENSIVE MOTION

Offenses are not required to declare any pre-snap motion. Short and long motion is allowed.

A running back may go in motion in either direction as long a one back remains in the backfield. Motion from a one back set to an empty backfield must be declared.

The offense may not motion out of its Three Back Set.

Offenses may “shift” formations from one declared formation to anotherdeclared formation within regular football rules.

PUNTING

Offense may not shift to or from punt formation.

Offense may kick or fake from punt formation.

Offense may quick kick from the standard formation providing there is not a shift before the snap.

Defense may rush a maximum of four (4) men. All rushers must be on the line of scrimmage.

Linebackers and defensive backs may not rush.

Defensive backs may move up to the line of scrimmage, head up on the wide men in the kicking team’s formation.

FIELD GOAL AND EXTRA POINT

Offense may not shift to or from a place kicking formation.

Offense may kick or fake from the kicking formation.

No more than six defenders may line up on the line of scrimmage with threemen on each side of the center.

All rushers must be on the line of scrimmage.

No rushers may go through the A-Gaps

Linebackers and defensive backs may not rush.

GENERAL GAME INFORMATION

Time Allotment: Four (4) – 15 minute quarters.

The clock will stop the last two (2) minutes of the half and the 4 quarter on first downs.

A team leading by nine (9) or more points at any time during the game, will kickoff to the opposing team. Second half included.

In the event of a tie at the end of 60 minutes of regulation play, the 20-yard Overtime Procedure used in New York State will be utilized.